Device to control smoke



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- I Sept. 10,

R. o. WEIHL DEVICE TO CONTROL SMOKE Filed Oct. 16, 1952 EJL INVENTOR.RUDOLPH 0. WEJbZ DEVICE T CONTROL SMOKE Rudolph O. Weihl, Bronx, N. Y.

Application @ctoher 16, 1952, Serial No. 315,tl85

9 Ciaims. (Cl. 122-=-379) -his invention relates to devices forcontrolling and eliminating smoke.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device forcontrolling and eliminating smoke which ineludes means for introducingsteam under high pressure into the smoke stream, the steam precipitatingthe soot and other coloring matter resulting from incomplete combustionof the fuel and leaving the clear gases to escape into a sewer, chimneyand the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device of theabove type which includes means for in-' timately mixing the steam withthe smoke stream and means for imparting a rapid movement of theresulting mixture through a smoke box to a sewer or the like.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a deviceof the above type which includes automatic means for regulating the exitof the mixed smoke and steamto a sewer or the like.

it is still another object of the present invention to provide a deviceof the above type in which the aforesaid mixing, moving and regulatingmeans are driven by common source.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a device forcontrolling and eliminating smoke bearing the above objects in mindwhich is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, iscompact, easy to install and efiicient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention,reference may be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing, in which: 7

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a device to control and eliminatesmoke embodying the features of the present invention and shown inoperative use with a steam furnace and utilizing a rotating steam coil;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 1 butshown partly in section to show the interior construction thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational view of the steamcoil injector shown partly in section to show the construction thereof;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the steam coil inlet fitting andbearing support taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of said fitting and support takenalong line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the presentinvention where the steam coil is stationary shown partly in section toshow the interior construction thereof; and

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a still further modified form ofthe present invention where a stationary steam coil is used along with adifferent smoke moving means, shown partly in section to show the,interior construction thereof.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, in which simi: lar referencecharacters designate'corresponding parts throughout the several views,there is shown in Figure 1 a steam furnace it) having the usual smokeflue 11 and steam outlet 12.

There is also shown a smoke controlling and eliminating device, referredto collectively as 13, positioned along side the furnace 1t) andconnected to the flue 11 by means of a vertically-extending flue 14 andan elbow 15, substantially as illustrated.

The device 13 includes an elongated smokebox 16 formed with anenlargement 17 at one end and extending downwardly toward concrete floor'71 at its other end, substantially as shown.

The enlargement 17 is closed at its outer end by a wall 18, while theother end of smoke box 16 is open and rests upon plate 19, the plate 19having an opening 20 communicating with the open end of the smoke boxand with a sewer conduit 21 leading to the sewer, not shown.

An electric motor 22 is mounted upon a base plate 23 intermediate thefurnace it? and smoke box 16 and includes the usual drive shaft 24extending toward the wall.

18. A pulley. 25 is fixedly carried by the end of drive shaft 24.

A hearing support 26 is mounted upon a base plate 27 intermediate theend of drive shaft 24 and wall 18, the wall 18 having an opening alignedwith the opening of bearing support 26.

A shaft 28 is rotatably mounted inbearing support 26,

extending to smoke box 16 through the opening in wall.

18 while the other end of shaft 28 rests above the end of drive shaft24. A pulley 29 is fixedly carried by the outer end of shaft 28 invertical alignment with motor pulley 25, and a friction belt 34 connectsthe two pulleys.

A second bearing support Si is mounted within the enlargement 17 of thesmoke box 16 and rotatably receives the inner end of shaft 28, as shownin Fig. 2, the shaft 28 continuing inwardly through the bearing support35. to terminate near the inlet to the smoke box proper in ahelically-threaded end 32. A blower propeller 33 is fixedly mounteduponshaft 28 intermediate the bearing support 31 and the end 32 andserves, when rotating, to draw smoke into the smoke box 16 from flue 14through an opening 34 provided in the top of enlargement 17 andcommunicating with flue 14.

A transverse shaft 38 is rotatably mounted in one side of smoke box 16,extending inwardly to terminate at the central longitudinal axis of thesmoke box. A bevel gear 39 is fixedly carried by the inner end of shaft38 while the other end of shaft 38 fixedly carries a pulley 40 conneetedto pulley 37 by a friction belt 41.

A bearing member 42 is mounted on the bottom of the smoke box 16alongside the gear 38, the bearing opening thereof being disposed alongthe central longitudinal axis of the smoke box. A hollow shaft 43 isrotatably positioned within bearing member 42, Figs. 4 and 5, extendingoutwardly therefrom at one end to terminate near the bevel gear 39. Aseecond bevel gear 44 is fixedly carried by this end of shaft 43 andmeshes with bevel gear 39.

The top of bearing member 42 is provided with a vertical opening 45communicating with the hollow interior of shaft 43 by means of aplurality of radial openings 46 provided in shaft 43 below opening 45.

A high pressure steam pipe 47 connects with openings 45 through anopening 48 in the top of the smoke box 16, the pipe 47 being threadedinto the top of bearing member 42, substantially as illustrated in Figs.4 and 5.

The pipe 47 is suitably connected to the steam out- 49 regulating theflow of steam therethrough, as shown Patented Sept. 10, 1957.

3 in Fig. 1. The steam can also be obtained from a separate' source.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that; a rotatable helical steampipe 50. is suitably connected to the other end of shaft 43,communicating with the hollow interior of the latter. The pipe 50extends substantially the length of the smoke box proper and terminatesin a closed end 51 fixedly connected to an enlargement 52 of ,arotatable shaft 53 journalled in the downwardly extending end wall ofsmoke box 16. Thepipe 50 is provided with a plurality of spaced openings54 extending substantially the length thereof, whereby to spraycompressed steam from pipe 47 along the interior of the smoke box.

The other end of shaft .53is rotatably mounted in a bearing member 55 ofa centrifugalgovernor' 56, the governor 56'including adownwardly-extending arm 57 adapted to move inthe direction of the arrowof Fig. 2 upon rotation of shaft 53 and operationof governor 56. Thelower end of arm 57 isprovided with a slot 58 and extendsinto' the smokebox 16 through an opening 59, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 2,and for a purpose to be described directly.

A circular damper 60 is provided pivotally mounted and smoke tight upona shaft 61 journalled in the sides of smoke box 16 directlyabove theopening 20 and is adapted to normally rest upon plate 19 whereby toclose the outlet of the smoke box, as shown in Fig. 2. Anupwardlyextending arm 62 is rigidly secured to damper 60 and fixedlycarries a pin 63 adapted to ride the slot 58. It will be noted that uponmovement of the arm 57 in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 2,the pin 63 and arm 62 will be rotated outwardly whereby to open thedamper 60.

A suitable covering 64 is provided for the governor 56, one end of whichis secured to the smoke box 16 as at 65, while the other end is mountedupon a bracket 66 secured to the top of bearing member 55.

In operation, with the motor 22 turned on and steam valve 49 open, thedrive shaft 24 of motor 22 rotates shaft 28 by means of pulleys and 29and friction belt 30. The rotation of shaft 28 causes blower propeller33 fixedly carried thereon to revolve, thus drawing smoke from lines 11and 14 into the smoke box through opening 34 and blowing it towarddamper 60. Simultaneously, the rotation of shaft 28 and thehelically-threaded end 32 thereof rotates reduction gear 36, thusturning shaft 35 fixedly carrying the gear 36, which motion rotatespulley 37 fixedly carried by the end of shaft 35. The rotation ofpulley37 is transmitted to shaft 38 by means of pulley 40 and friction belt41, thus rotating bevel gear 39. Rotation of bevel gear 39 istransmitted to hollow shaft 43 by means of bevel gear 44.

During this operation, high pressure steam is carried from outlet 12,through pipes 72 and 47 and discharged into opening. 45. As hollow shaft43 rotates, this steam passes into the hollow interior thereof throughopenings 46, whence it is carried along pipe 50 to be dischargedtherealong through outlets. 54 to mix with the smoke passing through thesmoke box. Simultaneously, the rotation of shaft 43 rotates the helicalpipe 50 fixedly secured thereto at one end, thereby etfecting a swirlingmotion of steam and smoke within the smoke box and bringing these twointo more intimate contact with each other..

Rotation of pipe 50 causes shaft 53 to revolve, thus automaticallyputting the governor 56 into operation. Operation of governor 56 movesarm 57 in the direction of the arrow, thus. rotating pin 63 and arm 62outwardly to open the damper 60, permitting the smoke and steam mixtureto escape through opening 20 to a sewer, chimney or other disposalunit..

The steam precipitates the soot and other objectionable coloring matterin the smoke resulting from incomplete combustion of the fuel in furnace10 and carries them to the sewer where they become a part of thedrainage, while the clear gases escape into the atmosphere. This steamwill also tend to cleanse the sewer.

It will be understood that while I have shown my device in operative usewith a steam boiler furnace, it is equally applicable to all forms ofcombustion units where it is desired to eliminate smoke. It will also beunderstood that my device may be made into a unitary structure which maybe inserted in chimneys and smoke stacks and as a unit without departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

I have found that the addition of lye to the steam line will moreeffectively. cut the smoke and produce the best results. This lye isparticularly effective with smoke resulting from the combustion of oiland keeps the steam holes clear.

When the furnace 10 is shut down, the device is turned off by closingthe valve 49 and turning off the motor 22. This causes the moving partsto become stationary, including the shaft 53. When shaft 53 stopsrotating, the operation of the governor 56 automatically ceases and arm57 returns to its original position, thus closing damper 60.

tionary, helical steam pipe 50' surrounds the screw 67 and extendssubstantially the length of the smoke box 16, the pipe 50 entering thesmoke box through an opening 68 therethrough, and being suitablyconnected to the steam outlet 12 of furnace 10, as in the first form.The pipe 50 is provided with a plurality of openings 54 which eject highpressure steam into the interior of the smoke box.

In other respects, the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 is the sameas that illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5, and like reference numeralsidentify like parts in each of the several views.

In operation of the form shown in Fig. 6, with the motor 22 turned onand valve 49 open, the drive shaft 24 rotates shaft 28 causing blowerpropeller 33 fixedly carried thereon to revolve, thus drawing smoke fromfines 11 and 14 into the smoke box through opening 34 and blowing ittoward damper 60. Simultaneously, the rotation of shaft 28 also causeshelical screw 67 fixedly carried thereon to. revolve, thus intimatelymixing steam escaping from openings 54 with smoke passing through thesmoke box and also shooting or forcing the mixture towards damper 60. Inother respects, the operation of this form is the same as the firstform, with governor 56 being actuated upon rotation of shaft 28' to openthe damper 60, and automatically closing the latter when shaft 28' comesto rest.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 7, there is shown a further modifiedform of the present invention, referred to collectively as 13", anddiffering from the second form in the removal of helical screw 67 fromshaft 28' and in the provision of an exhaust blower propeller 69 locatedwithin a second enlargement 70 formed in the other end of smoke box 162In other respects, the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7 is the sameas that shown in Figs. 1 to 6 and like reference numerals identify likeparts in each of the several views.

I The operation of this form is the same as that shown in Fig. 6, withthe exception that the smoke passing through smoke box 16 is mixed withthe steam escaping from openings 54 solely by the kinetic energy of thelatter, the resulting mixture being further propelled toward damper 60by the rotation of the exhaust propeller 69.

While various changes may "be made in the detail construction, it shallbe understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope ofthe present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A smoke control device comprising an elongated smoke box, an inlet atone end of said smoke box into which a smoke flue is adapted todischarge the smoke, blower means within said smoke box near said inlet,means for operating said blowermeans, an outlet at the other end of saidsmoke box, a damper adapted to close said outlet, governor means driven:by the means operating said blower means for opening said damper, asteam pipe disposed longitudinally within said smoke box and extendingsubstantially the length thereof, said pipe having a plurality ofopenings therealong, an inlet at the end of said pipe nearest saidblower means and means for feeding steam into said-pipe inlet.

2. A smoke control device comprising an elongated smoke box, an inlet atone end of said smoke box into which a smoke flue is adapted todischarge the smoke, blower means within said smoke box near said inlet,an outlet at the other end of said smoke box, a damper adapted to closesaid outlet, governor means driven by the means operating said blowerfor opening said damper, a substantially helical steam pipe rotatablymounted within said smoke box, said p'pe extending longitudinallysubstantially the length of said smoke box, said pipe having a pluralityof openings therealong, an inlet at the end of said pipe adjacent saidblower means, means for feeding steam into said pipe inlet, and commonmeans driving said blower means, damper opening governor means androtatable pipe.

3. A smoke control device comprising an elongated smoke box, an inlet atone end of said smoke box into which a smoke flue is adapted todischarge the smoke, blower means within said smoke box near said inlet,an outlet at the other end of said smoke box, a damper adapted to closesaid outlet, means for opening said damper, a substantially helicalscrew rotatably mounted within said smoke box and connected to theblower means to be driven thereby, said screw extending longitudinallysubstantially the length of said smoke box, a substantially helicalsteam pipe surrounding said screw and freely spaced therefrom, said pipehaving a plurality of openings therealong, an inlet at the end of said.pipe nearest said blower means, means for feeding steam into said pipeinlet, and said damper opening means being cons nected to said helicalscrew to be operated by the same.

below said inlet, a bearing member within said smoke box near said inletand propeller, a hollow shaft rotatably mounted within said bearingmember, said hollow shaft being closed at its end adjacent said firstshaft, means for connecting said first shaft to said hollow shaft tothereby drive the same, said bearing member having an opening therein,said hollow shaft having a plurality of radial openings adapted toregister with the opening I in said bearing member, means for feedingsteam into 4. A smoke control device comprising an elongated smoke box,an inlet at one end of said smoke box into which a smoke flue is adaptedto discharge the smoke, blower means within said smoke box near saidinlet, an outlet at the other end of said smoke box, a damper adapted toclose said outlet, means for opening said damper, second blower meanswithin said smoke box near said outlet, a substantially helical steampipe disposed longitudinally within said smoke box intermediate saidfirst and second blower means and extending substantially the length ofsaid smoke box, said pipe having a plurality of openings therealong, aninlet at the end of said pipe nearest said first blower means, means forfeeding steam into said pipe inlet, and said damper opening meansconnected to the second blower means to be operated by the same.

5. A smoke control device comprising an elongated smoke box, an inlet atone end of said smoke box into which a smoke line is adapted todischarge the smoke, a first shaft rotatably mounted in the end of saidsmoke box below said inlet, said shaft extending inwardly and outwardlyof said end, means external of said smoke box for driving said firstshaft, a blower propeller fixedly carried by said first shaft withinsaid smoke box and said bearing member, an outlet at the other end ofsaid smoke box, a damper adapted to close said outlet, a second shaftrotatably mounted in the other end of said smoke box above said outletand damper, said second shaft extending inwardly and outwardly of saidother end and being axially aligned with said hollow shaft and connectedthereto to be driven thereby, a governor mechanism mounted upon theouter end of said second shaft and externally of said smoke box to bedriven by the second shaft, means for connecting said governor mechanismwith said damper to open said damper upon rotation of said second shaft,a substantially helical steam pipe extending substantially the length ofsaid smoke box and an inlet at the end of said pipe adjacent saidbearing member, said inlet being fixedly connected to the open end ofsaid bearing member, said pipe at the other end thereof being fixedlyconnected to the inner end of said second shaft, said pipe having aplurality of openings therealong.

6. A smoke control device comprising an elongated smoke box, an inlet atone end of said smoke box into which a smoke flue is adapted todischarge the smoke, an elongated shaft rotatably mounted in the ends ofsaid smoke box, said shaft extending outwardly of said smoke box at eachend thereof, means external of said smoke box for driving said shaft, ablower propeller fixedly carried by said shaft within said smoke box andbelow said inlet, an outlet at the other end of said smoke box, a damperadapted to close said outlet, a governor mechanism mounted on the end ofsaid shaft external of said smoke box and adjacent said outlet anddamper, means for connecting said governor mechanism to said damper toopen said damper upon rotation of said shaft, a substantially helicalscrew fixedly carried by said shaft within said smoke box, said screwextending longitudinally substantially the length of said smoke box, asubstantially helical steam pipe surrounding said screw and freelyspaced therefrom, said pipe having a plurality of openings therealong,an inlet at the end of said pipe adjacent said propeller and means forfeeding steam to said helical pipe inlet.

7. A smoke control device comprising an elongated smoke box, an inlet atone end of said smoke box into which smoke flue is adapted to dischargethe smoke, an elongated shaft rotatably mounted in the ends of saidsmoke box, said shaft extending outwardly of said smoke box at each endthereof, means external of said smoke box for driving said shaft, ablower propeller fixedly carried by said shaft within said smoke box andnear said inlet, an outlet at the other end of said smoke box, a damperadapted to close said outlet, a governor mechanism mounted on the end ofsaid shaft external of said smoke box and adjacent said outlet anddamper, means for connecting said governor mechanism to said damper toopen said damper upon rotation of said shaft, an exhaust propellerfixedly carried by said shaft within said smoke box near said outlet, asubstantially helical steam pipe extending substantially the length ofsaid smoke box intermediate said propellers, said pipe having aplurality of openings therealong, an inlet at the end of said pipenearest said blower propeller and means for feeding steam into said pipeinlet.

8. A smoke control device comprising an elongated smoke box, an inlet atone end of said smoke box into which a smoke flue is adapted todischarge the smoke, a shaft rotatably mounted in the end of said smokebox below said inlet, said shaft extending inwardly and outwardlyof saidend, means external of said smoke box for driving said first shaft,ajblower propeller'fixedly carried by said first shaft-within said smokebox and belowsaid inlet, a bearing member within said smoke box nearsaid inlet and propeller, a hollow shaft rotatably mounted within saidbearing member, said hollow shaft being closed at its end adjacent saidfirst shaft, means for connecting said first shaft to said hollow shaftto drive the same thereby, said bearing member having an openingtherein, said hollow shaft having a plurality of radial openings adaptedto register with the opening in said bearing member, means for feedingsteam into said bearing member, an outlet at the other end of said smokebox, a damper adapted toclose said outlet, a second shaft rotatably,mounted in the other end of said smoke box above said outlet and damper,said second shaft extending inwardly and outwardly of said other end andconnected with said hollow shaft to be driven thereby, a governormechanism external of said smoke box mounted upon said second shaft,means for connecting said governor mechanism with said damper adapted,to open said damper upon rotation of said second shaft, a substantiallyhelical steam pipe extending substantially the length of said smoke box.

and an inlet at the end of said pipe adjacent said bearing member, saidinlet being fixedly connected to the open end of said bearing member,said pipe at the other end thereof being fixedly connected to the innerend of said second shaft, said pipe having a plurality of openingstherealong, said means for connecting said governor mechanism to saiddamper comprising a downwardly extending arm slidably mounted uponsaidsecond shaft at its upper end and in operative engagement with saidgovernor mechanism, said arm at its lower end having a slot, said smokebox above said damper having an opening adapted to receive said arm andslot, said damper being pivotally mountedabove said outlet, an upwardlyextending second arm rigidly connected to said damper, and a pin rigidlyconnected to said second arm and adapted to, ride said slot.

9. A smoke control device comprising an elongated smoke box, an inlet atone end of said smoke box into whicha smoke flue is adapted to dischargethe smoke, an

elongated shaft rotatably mounted in the ends of saidsmoke box, saidshaft extending outwardly of said smoke box at each endthereof, meansexternal of said smoke box for driving said shaft, a blower propellerfixedly carried by said shaft within said smoke box and below saidinlet, an outlet at the other end of said smoke box, a damper adapted toclose said outlet, a governor mechanism mounted on the end of said shaftexternal of said smoke box and' adjacent said outlet and damper, meansfor connecting said governor mechanism to said damper and adapted toopen said damper upon rotation of said shaft, a substantially helicalscrew fixedly carried by said shaft within said smoke box, said screwextending longitudinally substantially the length of said smoke box, asubstantiallyhelical steam pipe surrounding said screw and freely spacedtherefrom, said pipe having a plurality of openings therealong, an inletat the end of said pipe adjacent said propeller and means for feedingsteam into said pipe inlet, said means for connecting said governormechanism to said damper comprising a downwardly extending arm slidablymounted upon said second shaft at its upper end and in operativeengagement with said governor mechanism, said arm at its lower endhaving a slot, said smoke box above said damper having an openingadapted to receive said arm and slot, said damper being pivotallymounted above said outlet, an upwardly extending second arm rigidlyconnected to said damper, and a pin rigidly connected to said second armand adapted to ride said slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS586,429 Farrell et al July 13, 1897 1,041,617 Goodrich Oct. 15, 19121,070,174 Player Aug. 12, 1913 1,082,245 Thomas Dec. 23, 1913 1,117,614Wilder Nov. 17, 1914 1,269,724 Martin June 18, 1918 1,296,040 BontyaMar. 4, 1919 1,747,619 Carpenter Feb. 18, 1930 1,769,613 Wilms July 1,1930 1,990,315 Anderson Feb. 5, 1935

